Cap fastening machine



May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ErAL CAP FASTENING MACHINE 1 5 W Ma R! v, m x-Qkmm .M E24 6 P W a w w J Y m 0 w m N .N. w M m w Filed Aug. 25, 1955 n![Il a May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ETAL 2,983,089

CAP FASTENING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V ENTORF 0044410 ,9, Fifi! Pun/5 P, PIN/Vi) Irma [rs May 9, 1961 Filed Aug.25, 1955 9 FIG-3 n I II I D. H. REESE ET AL CAP FASTENING MACHINE 10Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR5 May 9, 1961 D. H. REEsE ETAL CAP FASTENINGMACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 2, mg m mi M Vfl m 0. mm?f m 2 y; i w w May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ETAL CAP FASTENING MACHINE 10Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 w: my mfl i m a 6 4 J I N 5 3 7 0 5 iI I a w w 1 w W p I I r A- E w y W w W May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ET AL CAPFASTENING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 May 9, 1961 D.H. REESE ETAL CAP FASTENING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 25,1955 at-l6 May 9, 1961 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 D. H. REESE ET AL CAPFASTENING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR5 awn/410x255! Pu z 5 2 PmA/n @KEQ ,a/uum irrap/vixs May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ET AL CAP FASTENINGMACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 INVENTOR5 904 440 ,9,P625! Pa a; 2 PM I United States Patent Oficje 2,983,089 Patented May 9,1961 CAP FASTENING MACHINE Donald H. Reese, Lafayette, and Rufus P.Ranney, San

Filed Aug. 25, 1955, Ser. No. 530,492

49 Claims. (Cl. 53--72) This invention relates to a machine forautomatically applying caps or bungs to drums, barrels and other likecontainers.

More particularly this invention relates to a machine for automaticallyapplying screw caps or bungs to steel drums in synchronism with anautomatic filling machine wherein steel drums are supplied in rapidsuccession to a filling and weighing station with their bung holes inregistry with a filling mechanism and at which each drum, in its turn,is filled to a predetermined net or gross weight, as desired, eachfilled drum then being transported to a capping station. The machine ofthe present invention has as an important object the application ofscrew caps or bungs to drums delivered to a capping station from anautomatic filling machine of the character described.

The machine of the present invention has, as one of its principalobjects, the provision of an automatic capping operation which isintegrated and synchronized with an automatic filling operation such asdescribed in Guerard et a1. application Serial No. 307,554, filedSeptember 2, 1952, entitled Drum Filling Machine, now US. Patent No.2,793,659. The machine of 'the present invention also preferably employsa vacuum-operated, flexible or universal type of chuck mechanism forpicking up bungs or screw caps, aligning them properly with bung holesand then screwing the bungs or caps into the bung holes, such asdescribed and claimed in another copending application, Ranney et al.Serial No. 317,856, filed October 31, 1952, entitled Cap Fastener, nowUS. Patent No. 2,731,185.

Previous practice in connection with automatic and semiautomaticfillingof containers such as steel drums, with products such as petroleumproducts, has been to carry out the weighing and filling operationsautomatically or semiautomatically, with or without a concomitantautomatic orienting operation in which empty drums are received withtheir bung holes in random position and are automatically oriented tolocate the bung hole of each drum in a predetermined position forregistry with the filling mechanism. In such prior operations the finalstep of applying bungs or caps to the filling drums has been carried outmanually with a torque wrench.

Heretofore, to our knowledge, this capping operation has not beencarried out automatically, at least in connection with such containersas 55 gallon steel drums intended for petroleum products.

In connection with the high speed, automatic capping of steel drumsfilled with'petroleum products, certain difficult problems areencountered which are not encoun tered to the same degree in many othertypes of capping operation. Thus, steel drums are sufficiently expensivethat it is the custom for the purchaser to return them, obtaining arefund for the returned drums. Consequently, an oil refinery or otherestablishment carrying out large scale filling operations employs agreat many used drums. Such drums are reconditioned; i.e., they arecleaned and repainted, and badly damaged drums are repairedmechanically. Nevertheless, it will be apparent that ab, soluteuniformity of drums is impossible because of the variety of old drumsused and because used andrecon ditioned drums have become damaged.

In Ranney et al. applicationv Serial No. 317,856, referred to above,certain of the dificulties encountered in the capping of steel drums ofthis character are described. Thus, as pointed out in the descriptionand as illustrated in the drawings of that application, the bung holesof steel drums will vary with respect to distance from the axis of thedrum (such variation being referredto hereinafter as horizontaldeviation), and it frequently happens that owing to imperfections indrums or to damage sustained by drums the bung holes do not lie in ahorizontal plane (such departure from horizontal being referred tohereinafter as vertical deviation).

It will, therefore, be apparent that a truly automatic.

capping mechanism must adjust itself automatically.

for horizontal and vertical deviations of the bung holes. Yet anotherproblem involved in an automatic, .high speed capping operation of thecharacter described is the fact that drums, as they come to a fillingmachine, are

provided with different types of bungs which may require different typesof chucks or wrench members for picking them up and manipulating them.Since drums as they come to a filling machine will usually have .arandom distribution of different types of bungs, it is apparent that afully automatic capping machine must be able automatically to sense eachtypeof bung and to provide the proper form of chuck.

Another problem encountered in an automatic filling and cappingoperation is the fact'that, quite apart from structural differencesasnoted above, bungs are frequently painted the same color as the barrels(e.g., olive drab in the case of military supplies), and it is importantthat each bung be replaced in its corresponding barrel. This isespecially troublesome when mixed orders are being filled.

Yet another and a very serious problem in an automatic filling andcapping operation carried out at high speed of the order of, say, one 55gallon drum each thirty seconds, is that all of the parts of the machinemust be integrated with no station lagging behind any other. Also safetyfeatures should be incorporated in the machine such that if, for somereason, operation ceases or slows down in. one part of the machine,operation of other parts of the machine will be adjusted appropriatelyand automatically.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic cappingmachine having features which obviate some or all of the difiicultiesand problems mentioned hereinabove.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic cappingmachine which is adapted to high speed, automatic capping of steel drumswith screw type bungsl Another object is to provide an automatic cappingma chine of the character and for the purpose described whichautomatically adjusts itself for horizontal and vertical deviations ofbung holes.

A further object is to provide an automatic capping machine which isselective with regard to the type of bun-g or cap and is able to receivefilled drums or other containers with a random distribution of two ormore types of bungs having structural differences and requiringdifferent types of chuck.

Another object is to provide, in connection with an automatic cappingmachine, an automatic bung or cap delivery mechanism which is operableto replace eac bung in its corresponding drum or barrel. 7,

Yet another object is to provide an automatic capping machine which isoperable at high speeds in conjunction With ,a high speed fillingmachine (with ,OI'.WlthQUI, a

Q high speed orienting element) such as that described in Guerard et al.application Serial No. 307,554, mentioned hereinabove.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from theensuing description and the appended claims.

One form of the invention is illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of themachine of the present invention shown associated with an automaticfilling and weighing mechanism.

Figure 2 is a view taken along the line 22 of Figure 1 showing a part ofthe machine of the invention in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the conveyor andescapement mechanism for conveying caps or bungs and releasing them oneby one.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken along the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken along the line' 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 2 showing thecapping station partly in section and partly in top plan view.

Figure 8 is a view taken along the line 8--8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a staggered vertical section taken along the line 9-9 ofFigure 7, showing in detail the operating mechanism for one of thecapping chucks.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line lit-10 ofFigure 9 showing, on a larger scale than in Figure 9, the rotary sealfor the chuck mechanism illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 2, showing on alarger scale than that in Figure 2, another portion of the operatingmechanism at the capping station.

Figure 12 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in verticalsection of an automatic trip valve employed in the control circuit ofthe machine.

Figure 13 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in verticalsection showing another portion of the operating mechanism at thecapping station, more particularly the drum ejecting mechanism.

Figure 14 is a view as seen from above Figure 13, showing the drumejecting mechanism with a drum in position at the capping station.

Figure 15 is a view taken along the line 15-45 of Figure 1, showing thedrum clamping means for clamping and holding a drum at the cappingstation.

Figure 16 is a view taken along the line 16-16 of Figure 1, but on alarger scale than that in Figure 1, showing a control feature of themachine employed to suspend operation of the machine in the event that afilled drum that has been ejected from the capping station but has notproceeded forwardly to clear the way for the next drum.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the drum gripping andpusher means employed to grip and push a filled drum from the fillingstation to the capping station.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of the same as seen along the line 1818 ofFigure 17.

Figure 19 is a transverse section along the line 19-19 of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary view showing a part of the mechanism employedto operate the gripping and pusher means shown in Figures 17 to 19.

Figure 21A is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of the controlcircuit of the machine shown in Figures 1 to 20.

Figure 21B is a continuation of Figure 21A.

Figure 22 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in verticalmidsection, of a vacuum-operated pilot valve which is employed in thecontrol circuit.

The mechanical features of the machine will first be described withreference to Figures 1 to 20.

Mechanical features Referring now to the drawings and more particularlyto Figures 1 and 2, the machine as a whole is generally designated bythe reference numeral 10. It comprises a filling and weighing stationwhich is generally designated by the reference numeral 11 and a cappingstation which is generally designated by the reference numeral 12. Tothe right of the filling station 11, as viewed in Figure 1, there may beprovided an orienting station such as that described and claimed in theaforesaid patent application, Guerard et al. Serial No. 307,554. At thefilling station 11 there is provided a scale platform 13 which supportsa drum 14. A weighing mechanism such as that described in the aforesaidcopending application Serial No. 307,554, may be provided tocontinuously record the net weight of the drum as it is filled, afterhaving tared the empty drum.

Filling of the drum 14 or other container is accomplished by a fillingmechanism which is generally designated by the reference numeral 15 andwhich may be of the type described in the said copending applicationSerial No. 307,554. Such filling mechanism, insofar as it is illustratedin Figures 1 and 2, comprises a lance 17 having a tip 18 which isextensible and retractable between an open position and a closedposition, the closed position being shown in Figure 2. Details of suchconstruction are described in the aforesaid application Serial No.307,554. The filling lance 17 is operated by means of an hydrauliccylinder 19. There is also illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a drip pan 20which pivots on a drain pipe 25. The purpose of the drip pan 20 is tocatch drippings from the lance 17 when the latter is retracted from adrum and the drip pan is swung underneath the lance 17.

A pusher mechanism 26 is also provided for the purpose of propellingeach empty, oriented drum from the orienting station (not shown) to thefilling station, to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. This pushermechanism is substantially identical with that described in theaforesaid copending application Serial No. 307,554. but with certainmodifications as hereinafter described. Briefly stated, the said pushermechanism comprises a pair of spaced, parallel rods 27 fixed to theframework of the machine and a slide member 27a slideable on such rods.A pusher arm or frame 23 is provided which is pivotally mounted on theslide member 27a at 2811. At its forward, or left-hand end as viewed inFigure 2. the frame 28 is provided with a locating finger 29 pivotallymounted on the frame 28 in the manner described in the aforesaidco-pending application Serial No. 307,554. At its extreme forward orleft-hand end, the frame 28 is provided with a roller 31 for rolling onthe chime 30 of the drum 14.

All the features of the pusher mechanism 26 thus far described areidentical or substantially identical with those described in theaforesaid copending application Serial No. 307,554. However, the saidpusher mechanism is further modified in a respect which will now bedescribed.

A drum ejector means 32 is provided for ejecting filled barrels from thefilling station in the form of an arm 33 pivotally mounted on the slidemember 2711 at 28a but for pivoting independently of the pusher frame28. A cylinder 34 pivots the arm 33 at its extreme forward or lefthandend as viewed in Figure 2, the arm 33 is provided with a gripping hand38 having a pair of spaced plates 40 (see also Figures 17-19) betweenwhich are slideably mounted a plurality of fingers 41 each havinglaterally projecting ears 41a which normally rest upon the upper edgesof the plates 40 and are held resiliently in contact therewith bytension springs 41b. As will be seen from an inspection of Figures 2 and17, the plates 40 and the fingers 41 are off center to clear the ventbung 41a (see Figures 1 and 17). As will be seen from an inspection ofFigure 18 it is the purpose of the fingers 41 to grasp the chime 30 of adrum '14. (The vent bung 41a is intended to be removed when the drum isemptied through the main bung hole, to allow entry of replace ment air.)

Referring again to Figure 2 and also to Figure 20,.the ejector arm 33has a rearward extension 33a which is engageable with the lower end of alever 42 pivoted on the frame of the machine at 42a, and which isnormally held in the position illustrated in solid lines in Figure 20 bya spring 43 but which can be pivoted counterclockwise as viewed inFigure 20 by the piston of an hydraulic cylinder 44.

Operation of the machine as thus far described and apart from thecontrol mechanism is as follows:

When an empty drum has been oriented to locate its bung hole in apredetermined position at the orienting or bung locating station, thelocating finger 29 will be located within the bung hole 45. The slidemember 27a is caused to move forwardly, from right to left as viewed inFigures 1 and 2. It wiil be apparent that, as the slide member 27a somoves, it will carry the empty, oriented drum with it, and it will alsobe apparent that the locating finger 29 will maintain the bung hole 45in its predetermined oriented position. The stroke of the slide member27a is such that it will deposit the drum at the filling station on theweighing platform 13 with the bung hole in registry with the fillinglance 17. While a drum is being oriented at the orienting station and adrum is being lled at the filling station '12, the rearward extension33a of the ejector arm 33 will be located beneath the lever 42, hencethe gripping hand 39 will be clear of the drum at the filling stationand will not add weight to such drum. At the commencement of forwardmovement of the slide member 27a, cylinder 44 will operate to rock thelever 42 and disengage it from the ejector arm 33, which will thereforedrop by gravity and engage the fingers 46 with the chime 30 of thefilled drum. Continned forward motion of the slide member 27a will causethe filled drum to be pushed forwardly to the capping station while anempty drum is deposited at the filling station.

After the empty drum has been deposited on the weighing platform, thefollowing sequence of operations occurs as described in detail in theaforesaid Guerard et 'al. application Serial No. 307,554: The pusherframe 28 is raised by the cylinder 34 and is retracted to the loeatingstation (the arm 33 being raised and retracted with the frame 28); theempty weight or tare of the drum at the filling station is recorded; thelance 17 descends through the bung hole of the drum and opens up;filling commences, first at a very rapid rate with the lance wide open,then at a reduced rate with the lance partially closed; and then thelance 17 is closed and retracted from the drum.

While the pusher frame 28 and ejector arm 33 are being retracted, theyare maintained in raisedposition, hence when the rearward extension 33aof ejector arm 33 reaches the end of its return stroke, it will underliethe lever 42, which meanwhile will have returned to its normal springposition. Then the pusher frame 28 is lowered onto the next drum at thelocating station, hence the extension 33a will contact the lever 42,which will hold the gripper hand 39 in raised position to clear the drumat the filling station while it is being filled.

A means is also provided for conveying caps or bungs to the cappingstation in properly timed relation to the progress of drums through themachine. This means is illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 and is best shownin Figures 3 and 4.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, two types of cap or bung are thereillustrated. One type is the Rieke cap which is manufactured by theRieke Company, Auburn,

Indiana, U.S.A., and is described in detail in the aforesaid copendingapplication Serial No. 317,856. Another type is the Tri-Sure cap, whichis manufactured by American Flange & Manufacturing Co., of New York,N.Y., and is also described in detail in the aforesaid Ranney et al.application Serial No. 317,856. Suffice it to say for purposes of thepresent description, that the Rieke cap shown at 46 in Figures 3 and 4has a flange 46a which projects outwardly and the Tri-Sur'e cap shown at47 does not have a corresponding flange and is of lesser overalldiameter. Advantage is taken of these structural differences in themanner and for the purpose explained hereinafter.

A conveyor mechanism is provided for conveying caps or bungs such asthose shown at 46 and 47, such conveyor mechanism being generallydesignated by the reference numeral 48. This conveyor mechanism extendsrearwardly, or to the right as viewed in Figures'l to 4 to someconvenient point preceding the entire machine (including the locatingstation), so that an operator may from time to time pick off loose bungsfrom the drums as they are supplied to the machine, e.g., as the empty,unoriented drums travel by gravity down a slanting roller conveyortoward the machine. The rate of travel of drums through the machine isquite rapid, e.g., one 55 gallon drum each thirty seconds. However,ample time is provided for an operator to pick up loose caps or bungsfrom tops of drums prior to their delivery to the machine, it beingnecessary only that, from time to time, the operator walk along thegravity conveyor line, pick up bungs from a few dozen drums and depositthem on the conveyor mechanism 48 in the same order as they are pickedup from the drums. This simple manual operation, if carried out to placethe bungs or caps on the conveyor 48 in the same order as they arrivewith the drums, is all that is required. The conveyor 48 will supply thebungs to the capping mechanism in this same order, such that bungs ofdiflerent drums are not intermixed.

The bung conveyor mechanism 48 comprises spaced upper tracks 49 (seeFigure 5) which receive and guide the upper reaches of endless chains 50which engage sprockets 51 and idlers 51a, one such sprocket being drivenso as to cause continuous movement of the chain, the upper reach thereoftraveling from right to left as viewed in Figures 1 to 4. The lowerreach of the chain is received in and guided by lower tracks 49a. Theupper tracks are provided with vertical flanges 52 over which lie thehorizontal flanges 46a of the Rieke caps 46 and between which lie theTri-Sure caps 47. In both cases, however, the cap rests on the chains 50and the Rieke flange 46a clears the flanges 52.

An escapement mechanism is provided which is shownin Figure 3 and isthere designated generally by the reference numeral 60. The escapementmechanism 60- comprises an escapement member 61 which is pivoted on theframe of the machine at 62 and which has a forward guard or keepermember 63 and a rearward guard and pusher member 64. The escapement member 61 is operated by pneumatic means including an air cylinder 65within which is reciprocable a piston 65a having a rod 66, the outer orright-hand end of which, as viewed in Figure 3, is rotatably connectedto a link 67 which is integral with the escapement member 61. A spring68 normally urges the piston 65a to the left as viewed in Figure 3 andholds it and the escapement member 61 in the positions shown. At theappropriate in-.

stant in the operation of the machine, i.e., when a filled drum at thefilling station is ejected from the filling station and delivered to thecapping station, compressed air is caused to enter the cylinder 65through a line 310 and an inlet port 69, thereby causing movement of thepiston 65a from left to right as viewed in Figure 3, thereby rocking theescapement member 61 in counterclockwise direction.

47, as the case may be, off the chains 50 onto an inclined The pushervportion 64 of the" as; capement member 61 will push the leading cap 46or a chute which is described hereinafter. At the same time, the pushermember 64 acts as a guard to hold back the next succeeding cap or bung.Upon venting of the air pressure in the cylinder 65 at a later stage ofoperation, as described hereinafter, the spring 68 will push the piston65a from right to left to the position shown in Figure 3 and will,therefore, rock the escapernent member 61 in clockwise direction so asto be in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 3 and to allow thenext succeeding cap or hung on the chains 50 to move forwardly to beheld by the guard 63.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6, inclined chutes and 76 areprovided for guiding the released cap or bung to the capping station. Aswill be seen from an inspection of Figure 4, the chutes 75 and 76coincide at air their upper, right-hand ends adjacent the forward end ofthe conveyor 48. The upper chute 75 is formed by spaced tracks 78 whichare spaced apart a distance such that the threaded body portion 46b of aRieke cap 46 will fit easily between the tracks but such that the gasketof the flange portion 46a will rest upon the upper edges of the tracksas illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 6 and will slide down such tracks tothe tongue 79a of a plate 79. The cap 46 will then slide down the plate79. It

will, therefore, be apparent that, as each Rieke cap 46 is released fromthe horizontal conveyor 48, it will slide by gravity down the upperchute 75. The lower chute 76 is formed by two, spaced tracks or plates80 which are spaced apart at 80:: a slight distance for a purposeexplained hereinafter. The spacing of the upper tracks 78 is sufficientthat a Tri-Sure cap 47 will fall between them into the lower chute 76.It will, therefore, be apparent that each of the Tri-Sure caps, uponrelease from the conveyor 48, will find its way to the lower chute 76and slide down along it by gravity. The purpose of the spacing 80between the plates 79 is to clear lugs 47a which are commonly formed onthis type of cap.

Referring now to Figure 2, the upper and lower chutes 75 and 76terminate at their lower ends, and selectively guide the caps or bungsto cups 81 and 82, respectively. The cups 81 and 82 are supported by afixed plate 83 which is supported by the frame of the machine. As ismost clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8, the plate 83 has a central recessor socket 84 which is in registry with the bung hole 45 of a drumdeposited at the capping station.

Two capping assemblies 85 and 86 are illustrated in Figure 8 which areidentical with those described and claimed in the aforesaid Ranney etal. application Serial No. 317,856, to which reference may be made fordetails not described in their entirety in the present application. Itwill be understood, of course, that other types of cap fasteningassemblies may be used. However, those illustrated are preferred.

Still referring to Figure 8, the two capping assemblies 85 and 86 arethere shown which are in registry with the cups 81 and 82, respectively.As will be seen each of the cups 81 and 82 has a flared portion 87, anannular shoulder 88 and a socket 89, the shoulder 88 of the cup 81 beingof greater diameter to receive the flange 46a of a Rieke cap 46.

Each of the capping assemblies 85 and 86 comprises an upper coupling100, a lower coupling assembly and chuck 101 and a spindle 102 formedwith an axial suction passage 103. The upper coupling has a sleeve 104and to the upper end of the spindle 102 is fixed a head 105 having arounded periphery which is free to rotate about horizontal axes againstthe inner surface of the sleeve 104. The lower coupling assembly 101comprises a head 106 similar to the head 105 which also has a roundedperiphery which is rotatable about horizontal axes against the innersurface of a sleeve 107. A nut 107a holds the head 106 in place in thesleeve, and to the lower end of the sleeve 107 is fixed a wrench fitting108 which engages a cap or bung. The fittings 108 of the two assemblies85 and 86 are, of course, different to fit different types of cap. Morespecifically, the fitting 108 in the Rieke assembly 85 is intended toengage with, to fit and to serve as a wrench for rotating a Rieke typeof cap and the fitting 108 in the right-hand assembly 86 is intended toengage with, to fit and to serve as a wrench for rotating a Tri-Suretype of cap. A seal is provided at 109, the details of which aredescribed in the said copending application Serial No. 317,856 and aseal is also provided at 109a for sealing against a cap or bung when itis engaged with the chuck. A socket 110 is also provided which is urgeddownwardly by a spring 111.

As described in the aforesaid Ranney et al. application Serial No.317,856, suction is applied through the passage 103 and the registeringopenings in the seal 109 and the fitting 108, to pick up and hold a capor bung. As also explained in the said copendiug application, the doubleuniversal joints provided by the coupling 100 and chuck 101,automatically adjust the chuck for horizontal and/or vertical deviationsof the bung holes of drums.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 9 and 10, each of the cappingassemblies 85 and 86 (the assembly 86 being illustrated in Figure 9), issupported and operated by means which will now be described. Theassembly 86 (likewise the assembly 85) is supported by a bracket whichis fixed to and extends outwardly to the right as viewed in Figure 9,from a shaft 116 which is journaled in bearings 117 fixed to the frameof the machine. Just above the outer end of the bracket 115 andsupported thereby is a housing 118 within which is disposed a worm wheel119 meshing with a worm 120 driven by a shaft 120a which is driven by anhydraulic motor 121 (see Figures 1 and 2). The worm wheel 119 is fixedto a sleeve 122 which is journaled in bearings 122a, and the sleeve 122is in turn fixed slideably but nonrotatably to a hollow shaft 123 whichconstitutes an extension of the spindle 102 and which is enclosed by acasing 124. As is most clearly shown in Figure 10, a rotating seal isprovided at 125, such seal comprising a ballbearing 130, the inner raceof which is clamped to the hollow shaft 123 by means of a nut 131 andthe outer race of which is clamped to a sleeve 132 by means of a nut133. As will be seen the central passage 103a of the shaft 123communicates with a line 347 through which air is sucked by meansdescribed hereinafter. The upper end of the sleeve 132 is threaded to apiston rod 135 which extends upwardly into a cylinder 136 such cylinderhaving ports 353 and 353a (see Figure 9). To the upper end of the rod135 is fixed a piston 139 which is reciprocable in the cylinder 136, andthe rod 135 has an extension 140 above the piston 139 which is intendedto engage the plunger of a valve 366 for a purpose explainedhereinafter.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 11, the shaft 116 is rotatedto the left or to the right to register either of the chuck assemblies101 with the bung hole of a drum, by means of a pair of pneumaticcylinders 141 and 142 which, as illustrated, are arranged end-to-end. Apiston 143 is reciprocable in the cylinder 142 and has a rod 144pivotally connected to the frame at 145. The cylinder 141 has a pistonreciprocable therein to which is connected a rod 151 which is rotatablyconnected at its outer end, or to the right as viewed in Figure 11, toan arm or lever 152 which is fixed to the shaft 116. it will be apparentthat, when compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 141 to move itspiston 150 from right to left as viewed in Figure 11, the arm 152 willbe rotated in clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11, therebybringing the right-hand capping assembly 86 and its chuck assembly 101(see Figure 8) into registry with the recess 84 in the plate 83 and withthe bung hole 45 of a drum.

"( s It will also be apparent that, when the direction of travel aosaosaof the piston 150 is reversed, thev arm 152 will be rotated incounterclockwise directionto. return the right-hand chuck assembly 86 tothe neutral position illustrated in Figures 8 and 11. It will also beapparent that, when compressed air is delivered to the cylinder 142 in adirection to move its piston 143 (i.e., relatively to the cylinder 142)to the right as viewed in Figure 11, thatthe arm 152 will be rotated incounterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11, thereby bringing theleft-hand chuck assembly 85 into registry with the bung hole of a drum,and that when the piston 143 is moved (relatively to the cylinder 142)in the opposite direction, the chuck assembly 85 will be rotated back toits.neutral position illustrated in Figures 8 and 11. Thes stroke ofeach of the pistons 143 and 150 is such as to bring the respective chuckassemblies 85 and 86 into precise registry with their corresponding cups81 and 82, respectively, and into precise registry with the recess 84and the bung hole 45 of a drum at the cappingstation.

Referring now more particularlyto Figures 1 and 9, a cam arm 153 isprovided which is fixed to and rotates with the shaft 116, the outer endof which (to the left as viewed in Figure 9) serves as a cam to actuatethe plungers of three valves 359', 359a and 359b, in the manner and forthe purpose described hereinafter.

As stated, bungs or caps 46 and 47 are released by the escapementmechanism 60 as described hereinabove and as illustrated in Figure 3.Each released cap slides down-- wardly along the proper chute 75 or 76,as explained hereinabove. As also explained, there are two cappingassemblies 85 and 86 for the two different types of caps 46 and 47. Itwill be apparent that, for fully automatic operation, some means isrequired whereby the machine can sense the type of cap or bung which haslast been released from the conveyorrmechanism. A portion of suchsensing means is illustrated in Figure 12 and will now be described.

Referring to Figure 12 a trip valve 326 is there shown which has aplunger 154 enclosed by a housing 155 which is fixed to the-frame of themachine. A trip pin 160 is provided which is notched at 161 for apurpose explained hereinafter and which has a rounded head 162 whichengages the plunger 154 of the valve. The head 162 is provided with apin 163 which projects laterally therefrom. A spring 164 is compressedbeneath the head 162 and, therefore, urges the plunger 160 upwardly andtends to lift the valve plunger 154. A cocking means is provided byreason of the notch 161 which is capable of engaging a shoulder 165 andis urged into such engaging action by a small piston.166 which is urgedupwardly in a passage 167 by a spring 168. In operation, and apart fromthe control mechanism described hereinafter the valve and its cockingmeans are operated as follows:

The trip valve 326 is normally in the cocked position illustrated inFigure 12, i.e., with its plunger 154 in the down position and with thetrip pin 160 in the cocked position shown. When a hung or cap such asthat shown at 46 descends along the chute 75, it will strike the lowerend of the pin 160 and will disengage the notch 161 from the shoulder165. The spring 164 is then free to expand and, in expanding, it pushesthe plunger 160 up-' wardly and causes retraction of the valve plunger154. This results in setting the valve in its so-called spring positionfor a purpose which is explained hereinafter in connection with thecontrol circuit. The valve will remain in this position until compressedair is delivered thereto in the manner explained hereinafter, therebycausing the plunger 154 to move downwardly against the force of thespring 164, carrying with it the plunger 160. When .the latter has beenpushed downwardly to the position illustrated in solid lines 'in Figure12, with the notch 161 in registry with the shoulder 165, the cookingspring 168 and piston 166 will act against the pin 163 to pivot theplunger :160 to the .inclined position shown in Figure 12 such that,when the compressed air 10 is exhausted from. the valve 326, thenotch161 will engage the shoulder 165. The valve operatingvmechanism In theoperation of the capping station machine as thus far described, andapart from the control mecha-.

nism, bungs or caps are released from the overhead conveyor 48 by theescapement mechanism 60 in the manner described hereinabove, and eachreleased cap or bung will slide down its appropriate chute or 76 andwill trigger or release the valve actuating mechanism illustrated inFigure 12, thereby placing the respective valve 326 in its springposition. This will result, through the control means describedhereinafter, in a sequence of operations which include the followingevents:

Suction is applied to the line 347 (see Figures 9 and 10), therebyapplying suction to the appropriate capping assembly or 86 through itspassages 103 and 103a. Also the appropriate shaft a will start rotating,thereby causing the corresponding spindle 102 and chuck 101 to commencerotating. Air pressure beneath the piston 139 in cylinder 136 isreleased through port 353, thereby causing'the piston 139 and itsassociated chuckassembly 101 to drop by gravity into the appropriatecup. 81 or 82; Suction applied through the line 347 will cause the chuckto hold the cap 46 or 47, as the case may be. Compressed air isthenagain delivered through the port 353 to the cylinder 136 beneath thepiston 139, causing the latter to ascend, thereby lifting the chuckassembly 101 and the cap held by it. Next, the appropriate cylinder 141or 142 is operated to rotate the appropriate capping assembly 85 or 86(i.e., the assembly containing a cap or bung) into registry with therecess 84 in the plate 83 and with the bung hole 45 of the drum which,meanwhile, will have been delivered to the capping station in the mannerexplained hereinabove.

A part of the control mechanism associated with and located at thecapping station is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. Referring to thesefigures, there is shown a cylinder having a rod 176 rotatably connectedat its outer end to a lever 177', the other end of which is fixed to asleeve 178 which is pinned to the lower end of a shaft 179. To thesleeve 178 there is also fixed a drum ejector lever 180 on the outer endof which is rotatably mounted a roller 181. The shaft 179 is journaledin ball bearings 182, and mounted on its upper end is a sleeve 183 whichis free to rotate on the shaft 179. To the lower end of the sleeve 183isfixed a cam 184 having a high dwell 185 and a low dwell 186, such camserving to operate a valve 300 in the manner and for the purposedescribed hereinafter. A torsion spring 187 urges the sleeve 183 incounterclockwise direction" as viewed in Figure 14, and a stop member188is provided to limit rotation of the sleeve 183. A' cam lever 189' isfixed to the sleeve 183 and rotatably mounted on the outer end of thelever 189 is a roller 190. The'stop member 188 also causes the cam lever189 to rotate clockwise (as viewed in Figure 14) with the drum ejectorlever 180.

The ejector lever 180 is normally held in the position illustratedinFigure 14 by the cylinder 175. When the, capping stationis unoccupied bya drum, the torsion spring 187 normally holds the cam lever'189 in theposition shown in broken lines in Figure 14, i.e., lying athwart thepath of travel of drums into the capping station. As a drum is pushedinto the capping station,

the ejector lever. 180 will remain in the position illus j trated inFigure 14 but the drum will rotate the cam lever 189 in clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 14,

This will 7 cause the high dwell 185 of the cam 184 to contact theiplunger of the valve 300, which constitutes a sig'nalin to the positionshown therein in solid lines.

the manner and for the purpose described hereinafter assaosa that thecapping station is occupied by a drum. When a drum has been properlycapped and the appropriate chuck assembly has been elevated and rotatedback to the neutral position illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, thecylinder 175 is supplied with compressed air in such manner as to rotatethe ejector lever 180 in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 14,from the position shown in solid lines therein to the position shown inbroken lines, thereby ejecting a filled and capped drum from the cappingstation. By reason of the stop 188, the cam lever 189 is prevented fromrotating back to the transverse position illustrated in broken lines inFigure 14 until compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 175 to rotatethe lever 180 back to the position shown in solid lines in Figure 14.Then the cam lever 188 rotates back by reason of the torsion spring 187.

Referring now to Figures 14 and 15, and more particularly to Figure 15,there is-provided certain clamping mechanism for firmly clamping bothsides of a drum at the capping station and holding it in position duringthe capping operation in opposition to the torque produced by thecapping operation. For this purpose two cylinders 200 and 201 areprovided, the cylinder 201 being operated by hydraulic fluid and thecylinder 200 by compressed air. The construction of these two cylindersis otherwise identical. As shown, the cylinder 200 has a piston 202reciprocable therein having a rod 203 to the outer end of which isattached a serrated clamping menu her 204 which is pivoted on the rod at205 and has clamping jaws or teeth at 206. An expansion spring 207 isprovided which normally holds the rod in the retracted positionillustrated.

In operation, at the appropriate instant after a drum has been locatedat the capping station, fiuid is admitted first to the hydrauliccylinder 201 to cause its clamping member 204 to advance and contact butnot to move the drum. Then the air cylinder 200 is operated to move itsclamping member 204 toward the drum. The clamping member of thehydraulic cylinder 201 serves as a rigid stop because ofincompressibility of the hydraulic fluid, and the air in the aircylinder 200 will compress when its clamping member 204 contacts theopposite side of the drum. Thus the drum is clamped firmly in positionwithout disturbing its position. At a later instant in the cycle ofoperation, after a cap has been screwed into the drum, the pressure incylinders 200 and 201 is relieved, the springs 207 will cause retractionof the clamping members and, the drum is free to be ejected from thecapping station.

At the conclusion of the capping operation and after the capped drum isunclamped, the cylinder .175 will oper.te to rotate the ejector lever180 to eject the capped drum. Then the cylinder 175 will be operated inthe reverse direction to rotate the lever 180 back to the position shownin Figure 14.

Control circuit Referring now to Figures 21A and 21B, and from time totime to Figures 1 to 20, the control system of the machine describedabove and illustrated in Figures 1 to 20 operates as follows: Inthe'control system which is illustrated in Figures 21A and 21B, certainstandard equipment is employed, such as valves operated by springpilots, hand pilots, cam pilots, hydraulic pilots and/or air pilots.These and other items of equipment are shown diagrammatically and theyare for the most part of standard, purchased type'and require no'detailed description herein. One'such valve is that shown at the lowerleft of Figure 21B and is indicated by the reference numeral 300. Aspring (unnumbered) is shown at the right and a cam is indicated by theletter C at the left, indicating that the valve 300 is spring operated,that it has a normal spring position and that it also assumes a camposition when the cam is operated.

The valve 300 is also shown as being provided with a drain or exhaustline indicated by the reference character D, such characterization beingomitted, however, in the case of other valves and being indicated by thesame diagrammatic symbol. Referring now to Figures 13 and 14 the valve300 is there shown and the cam 184 is the cam which operates the valve300 to place it in its cam position. As will be seen, when a drum ispushed into place at the capping station it will rotate the cam lever189 in clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 14, thereby causing thecam roller of the valve 300 to ride up onto the high dwell 185 of thecam, thereby placing the valve 300 in its cam position. Hydraulic fluidunder pressure from a suitable source (not shown) therefore passesthrough a line 301 and the valve 300 to a line 302, thence to a valve303. The valve 303, like the valve 300, is a spring operated valvehaving also a cam position. In its cam position the valve 303communicates the line 302 with a line 305 but when in its springposition it does not permit such flow of pressure. The valve 303 isplaced in its cam position when the pusher 26 (see Figure 2) is in itsextreme forward position. Hydraulic pressure then passes through theline 305 to the hydraulic pilot H of a valve 307. (See Figure 21A.) Thisplaces the valve 307 in its hydraulic pilot position wherein itcommunicates lines 308 and 309. Compressed air from a suitable source(not shown) then passes from the line 308 through valve 307 to the line309, thence through a line 310 (Figure 21B) to the bung escapementcylinder 65 (see also Figure 3), and also through a line 315 containinga restriction 316 to the pneumatic barrel clamping cylinder 200 (seealso Figure 15). The line 315 is also provided with a by-pass line 317containing a check valve 318 so that pressure can pass through line 317only in the direction indicated by the arrow, such bypass and checkvalve serving a purpose explained hereinafter. By reason of the supplyof pressure through line 310 to the bung escapement cylinder 65, thelatter will be actuated to release a hung or cap in the manner explainedhereinabove, causing it to slide down the appropriate chute 75' or 76.It will be assumed that a Rieke type of cap shown in Figures 3 and 4 at46, is released. Air pressure supplied in the manner described to thepneumatic drum clamping cylinder 200 will cause one of the drum clampingmembers 204 to move inwardly, thereby contacting the side of the drum.Meanwhile some of the hydraulic fluid passing through the line 305 willpass into a line 319 (Figure 213), thence to the hydraulic pilot of avalve 320, thereby placing that valve in its hydraulic pilot position. Aportion of the hydraulic fluid will also pass through a line 321containing a reducing valve 322 and a check valve 323, to the valve 320.When the valve 320 is in its hydraulic pilot position, the line 321 anda line 325 are connected, thereby communicating hydraulic pressurethrough the latter line to the hydraulic drum clamping cylinder 201 (seealso Figure 15), thereby causing the opposite clamping member 204' tomove forwardly to contact the opposite side of the drum. The purpose ofthe restriction 316 referred to hereinabove in connection with thepneumatic barrel clamping cylinder 200, is to create a slight lag in theoperation of that cylinder and its corresponding clamping member inrelation to the hydraulically operated cylinder 201 and its respectiveclamping member. The hydraulic cylinder is operated at a relatively lowpressure, e.g., l5 p.s.i. by reason of the reducing valve 322, suchpressure being suflicient to move the respective clamping member 204quickly into contact with the drum 14 but insufiicient to move the drum.The pneumatic cylinder 200 is operated at a higher pressure, e.g., 60p.s.i., hence will clamp the drum firmly in position and will resist ahigh torque. The check valve 323 effectively closes the hydrauliccylinder 201, which therefore acts as a rigid stop reacting against thepneumatic cylinder 200, and it does so slightly in advance of the"pneumatic cylinder. 1

As explained hereinabove with reference to Figure '12, the release of aRieke cap down its chute 75 will cause t to trip the corresponding valve326 which isshown 1n Figure 12 and also in the control diagram, Figure21A. This places the valve 326 in its spring position in which 1tcommunicates an air pressure line 327 with a line 328. Air then passesthrough the line 328 to the air p1lotA of a valve 329a. The valve 329ais one side of a double purpose valve, the other side being indicated as32912. The valve 329a functions with the right hand or Rieke side of thesystem, and the valve 32% with the left-hand or Tri-Sure side of thesystem. When the valve 329a is placed in its air pilot A position,hydraulic fluid under pressure from a suitable source (not shown) passesthrough a line 330 containing a stop valve 335 to a line 336 containinga compensated flow control valve 337, to the valve 329a, thence to aline 338' to the hydraulic motor 121 of the Rieke mechanism 85. Spenthydraulic fluid drains through a line 339a and a common line 339 tosump. The compensated flow control valve 337 is of a known constructionand is of a type such that it passes fluid at a predetermined volumerate regardless of back pressure within suitable limits, such that thehydraulic motor 121 will rotate the spindle 103 and the chuck 101 at aconstant speed regardless of increasing torque caused by increasingtightness of the cap in a bung hole, as explained in more detailhereinafter.

Meanwhile a portion of the air flowing through the line 328 is divertedthrough a line 340 containing a needle valve 345 to a venturi 346,thereby creating suction in a line 347 connected to the venturi and tothe passage 103a in the spindle 123 (see Figures 9 and 10). Air is alsosupplied through the line 328 and a line 348 to a valve 349. (See Figure21B.) The valve 349 is spring operated and has a normal spring position.It also has a vacuum pilot designated by the reference character V. Theconstruction of valve 349 is described in detail hereinafter withreference to Figure 22. It has a diaphragm which is controlled by thevacuum pilot and the spring. Suction is applied to the vacuum pilotthrough a line 350 and the line 347, which is connected to the axialpassage 103a of the spindle 123 and to the venturi 346. (Figure 21A.) Aslong as air is being sucked up through the chuck 101 into the axialpassage 103a and the line 347, insuflicient vacuum is applied to thevacuum pilot of the valve 349 to actuate it, hence that valve remains inits spring position. As long as the valve 349 remains in its springposition, it communicates the line 348 with a line 351 which is alsoconnected to the air pilot of a valve 352. (Figure 21A.) When the valve352 is in its air pilot position it communicates a line 353 containing arestriction 354 with a line 355. Referring to Figure 9 as well as toFigure 21A, it will be seen that the line 353 communicates with thechuck lifting cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139. The line 355 connectsthe valve 352 with a valve 356 (Figure 21B) which, at this stage ofoperation, is in its normal, spring position thereby communicating theline 355 with an exhaust line 357 which is connected to atmosphere. Itwill, therefore, be apparent that air pressure in the chuck liftingcylinder 136 beneath the piston 139 is free to exhaust through line 353,valve 352, line 355, valve 356 and line 357 to atmosphere. The releaseof pressure beneath the piston 139 as a result of this setting of thevalves 352 and 356 permits the piston 139 to descend by gravity, butunder control of valve 354, -thereby causing the chuck 101 to descend ashort distance into its appropriate cup 81 (see Figure 9) to pick up aRieke cap or bung 46.

Assuming that the chuck 101 immediately makes proper contact with thebung, its O-ring 109a (see Figure 8) will seal against the bung and avacuum will be created in the lines 347 and .350, hence in the vacuumpilot:

connected to a valve 359a (Figure 21A). At this stage. of operation, thevalve 359a is in spring position as exvplained hereinafter. Thereforethe valve 359a communicates the line 358 with an exhaust line 360 whichis open to the atmosphere. valves indicated as 359, 359a and 35911 whichare shown in the control diagram and also in Figure l. The valves 359a,359 and 35% are normally in spring position but each is placed, at asuitable instant during the cycle of operation, in cam position byengagement with the 'cam bracket 153, which is shown in Figures 1 and9.) At the commencement of the capping cycle and at the stage ofoperation now under consideration the cam bracket 153 will be in thecentral neutral position illustrated in Figure 1, therefore in contactwith the valve 359 and leaving the valve 3590 (also the valve 35%) inspring position as explained above. It will, therefore, be apparent thatwith the valve 349 in its vacuum pilot position and the valve 359a inspring position, compressed air will exhaust from the air pilot of valve352 to the atmosphere through line 351, valve 349, line 358, valve 359aand line 360. This will result in returning the valve 352 to its normalspring position in which it communicates an air pressure line 365 withthe line 353. Compressed air will then pass through the line 365, thevalve 352 and the line 353 to the cylinder 136 beneath its piston 139and will raise the piston 139 to the up position illustrated in Figures9 and 21A. This will result in raising the chuck 101 out of the cup 81.

A valve 366 is provided which is located at the upper end of thecylinder 136 and which has a normal spring position, and also a camposition in which the valve is placed when the piston 139 is in the upposition illustrated in Figures 9 and 21A. Whenthe piston 139 returns inthe manner just described to its up position, it therefore places thevalve 366 in its cam position. In this position the valve 366communicates a compressed air line 367 (which is common to both sides ofthe system) and a branch 368a with a line 369 which is also connected toa valve 370 (Figure 21B). The valve 370 has meanwhile been placed in itsair pilot position as follows: Air from the line 348 passes through thevalve 349 (which, as stated above, is in its vacuum pilot position) to aline 375 which is also connected to the air pilot of the valve 370. Whenthe valve 370 is in its air pilot position it communicates the line 369with a line 376a which is also connected. to the air pilot A of a valve377. This places the valve 377 in its air pilot A position wherein itcommunicates an air pressure line 378 with a line 379 which is alsoconnected v to the chuck pivoting cylinder 142. The cylinder 142 isshown in the control circuit of Figure 21A and also in Figures 1 and 11.It will be seen that compressed air is communicated to the cylinder 142in such manner as to move the cylinder 142 to the right. Air exhaustsfrom the cylinder through a line 380 and the valve 377 to an exhaustline 381a which contains a needle valve 382 and which communicates withthe atmosphere. Such movement of the cylinder '142 will rotate the Riekecapping mechanism from the position shown in Figures 8 and 11, intoregistry with the bung hole 45 of a drum at the capping station. I

Such movement of the capping mechanism will cause the cam bracket 153(see Figures 1 and 9) to rotate from its central, neutral position shownin Figure l (in which it is in contact with the plunger of valve 359) toa position in which it is in contact with the plunger of valve 359a. (Inthe control circuit of Figure 21A, the valves 359a and 35% and the chuckmechanisms 85 and 86 are transposed from their actual relative positionswhich are shown in Figure 1. This transposition is for the purpose ofclarity, to maintain those elements of the circuit relat- (The' valve35921 is one of three.

ing to one of the capping mechanisms on one side of the diagram andthose relating to the other capping mechanism on the other side of thediagram. Those elements which are common to both sides are located inmost cases centrally of the diagram.)

This movement of the cam bracket 153 results in returning the valve 359to its spring position and in placing the valve 359a in its camposition. When the valve 359a is in its cam position it communicates aline 387 with the line 358. The line 387 is supplied with compressed airfrom the line 340, as illustrated. Thus compressed air is caused to passfrom line 387 through valve 359a and line 358 to the valve 349 (Figure21B). The valve 349 is still in its vacuum position by reason of thefact that a bung is in place in the chuck 110 and is sealed therein,thus creating a vacuum in the line 350. Since the valve 349 is in itsvacuum pilot position, the line 358 is in communication with the line351. Hence it will be apparent that air pressure will now be applied tothe air pilot of the valve 352 (Figure 21A). The valve 352 is,therefore, placed in its air pilot position in which it communicateslines 353 and 355. The valve 356, to which the line 355 is connected, isstill in its normal spring position, hence communicates line 355 with anexhaust line 357 which is connected to the atmosphere. Accordingly,pressure is exhausted from the chuck lifting cylinder 136 beneath thepiston 139 through line 353, restriction 354, valve 352, line 355, valve356 and line 357 to atmosphere. Accordingly, the piston 139 and with itthe chuck 101 containing a hung, will drop to engage the cap with thebung hole of a drum at the capping station. As explained in detail inthe aforesaid copending application Serial No. 317,856, by reason of thedouble universal joints in the capping mechanism the chuck 101 willautomatically adjust itself for horizontal and vertical deviations ofthe bung hole. Meanwhile, the bung is held firmly in place, and inoperative engagement with the chuck by the vacuum created by the venturi346. Also the chuck is spinning and will act as a wrench to thread thebung into a bung hole. When the bung has been properly aligned with thebung hole in the manner described herein and in greater detail in theaforesaid copending application Serial No. 317,856, it will be screwedinto the bung hole. The flow control valve 337 (Figure 21A) referred toabove will continue to deliver hydraulic fluid at the same volume rateto the hydraulic motor 121; hence the chuck 101 will continue to spin atconstant speed notwithstanding increasing torque and increasing backpressure on the line 338 as the bung tightens up in the bung hole.However, when a predetermined back pressure has been built up (i.e.,when the bung has been screwed into its bung hole to a predetermineddegree of tightness) rotation of the chuck 101 will be terminated in themanner now to be described.

For this purpose a sequence valve 388 is provided (Figure 21A) which isconnected by a line 389 to the line 338 through which hydraulic fluid issupplied to operate the hydraulic motor 121. The sequence valve 388 maybe of standard, known construction and does not require detaileddescription herein. It exhausts through a line 390a and a common line391 to an overload relief valve 392. The line 391 has a restriction 393,and it is connected (ahead of the restriction 393) to a line 394 whichis connected to the hydraulic pilot of a valve 395 (Figure 21B).

The sequence valve 388 is, in effect, a signal valve which is set toopen at a predetermined pressure, e.g., 500-550 p.s.i. When the backpressure in line 338 reaches this predetennined value by reason of apredetermined torque (hence predetermined tightness of the cap in thebung hole), the valve 388 will open. Hydraulic fluid at this pressurewill then flow through the line 391. It is desirable to protect thehydraulic pilot of valve 395 against this high pressure; hence theoverload relief valve 392 is provided which opens at, say

200250p.s.i. The purpose of the restriction 393 is to exhaust fluidunder pressure from the hydraulic pilot of valve 395 at a controlledrate to allow a dwell of that valve in its hydraulic pilot position fora sutiicient time, e.g., about two seconds. The purpose of the dwell isto insure resetting of the control system in the manner which will nowbe described.

When the reset valve 395 (Figure 21B) is placed in its hydraulic pilotposition it communicates an air pressure line 410 with a line 411. Theline 411 is also connected to a hand valve 412 (Figure 21A) having ahand control H, such valve being normally in its spring position,thereby communicating the line 411 with a line 413, thence through abranch line 413a with the air pilot of the trip valve 326. The resultingpressure pulse to the air pilot of the valve 326 recocks that valve andplaces it in the cam position shown in Figure 12, thereby shutting offthe supply of air from the supply line 327 to the line 328. As a resultof this closing of the valve 326 with respect to the line 328, suctionin the lines 347 and 350 will be terminated, Vacuum is, therefore,broken and the chuck 110 is caused to release the bung or cap, whichmeanwhile has been screwedinto its bung hole. Also the valve 349 (Figure21B) is caused to return to its normal, spring position because novacuum is applied. Moreover, line 328 (Figure 21A) exhausts through tripvalve 326 to exhaust line 326a, hence exhausts air pressure from the airpilot A of valve 329.4. This resets valve 329a and shuts off hydraulicpressure to hydraulic motor 121 and stops that motor. The valve 352(Figure 21A) also returns to its normal, spring position because no airis supplied through lines 328 and 348 and because the pressure in theair pilot of valve 352 is free to exhaust through line 351, valve 349,lines 348 and 328 and valve 326. With the valve 352 aagin in its springposition, air will pass from the air supply line 365 through valve 352to line 353, thence to the chuck lifting cylinder 136 beneath the piston139, resulting in the lifting of the piston 139 and of the chuck 110.When the piston 139 reaches its up position illustrated in Figures 9 and21A, the valve 366 will again be placed in its cam position. When thevalve 366 is in its cam position it communicates lines 368:: and 369,thereby supplying air to the valve 370. (Figure 21B.) Meanwhile,compressed air has exhausted from the air pilot of valve 370 throughline 375, valve 349, line 358, valve 359a (Figure 21A), lines 387, 340and 328 and valve 326. Valve 370 is, therefore, returned to its springposition, and in this position it communicates line 369 with a line376b, which is also connected to the air pilot A of valve 377 (Figure2113). Meanwhile air pressure from the air pilot A, of valve 377 is freeto exhaust through line 376a, valve 370 and a line 414 to atmosphere.When the valve 377 is in its air pilot A position, it communicates airpressure line 378 with line 380, thence with the chuck pivoting cylinder142 (Figure 21A) in such manner as to. move the cylinder to the left.This pivots the chuck mechanism and returns it to its central, neutralposition illustrated in Figures 2 and 8.

Air from air pressure line 410 (Figure 213) also passes through valve395, line 411 and hand valve 412 (Figure 21A), as described above, to aline 415, thence to the air pilot of valve 320, (Figure 21B) which istherefore placed in its air pilot position. Consequently hydraulic fluidis allowed to exhaust from the hydraulic barrel clamping cylinder 201through line 325 and valve 320 to sump. The spring 207 in cylinder 201will, therefore, retract the respective clamping member 204. Air alsopasses from the same source 410 throughvalve 395, line 411, hand valve412, line 413 and branch line 41311, as described above, to a line41312, to the air pilot of valve 307 (Figure 21A), thereby placing thatvalve in its air pilot position. When the valve 307 is in its air pilotposition it communicates the line 309 with an exhaust line 416. As aconsequence, compressed air is exhausted the bung escapernent cylinder65" (Figure 21B) ,through' lines 310 and'309, valve 307 Y and line 416,and

from the pneumatic barrel cl-ampingcylinder 200 through the by-pass line317, its check valve 318, line 315, line 309, valve 307 and exhaust line416. The purpose of the bypass line 317 is to allow very rapidexhausting of pressure from the pneumatic cylinder 200 for a rapidreturn of this cylinder to its normal, spring position in in Figures 1and 16.- It is normally in its spring position but it also has a camposition in which it is placed by depression of a lever 419a which isshown in Figures 1 and 1 6. The lever 419a is depressed only when a drumis located in the position shown in the extreme left of Figure l, i.e.,just beyond the capping station.

Frequently in capping or bunging barrels of lubricating oil and otherpetroleum products, a seal is applied to each bung afterit has beenscrewed into a hung hole. This is done tonconrrply with consumersrequirements or as a matter of business policy, to indicate that eachbarrel has not been opened and that the contents have not beendisturbed. At the present time it is contemplated that such sealingoperation will be performed manually by an operator. Filled drums areblocked down the line some distance and from time to time the operatorwill apply seals to the filled drums that have accumulated. Because ofpreoccupation with other duties, the operator may allow too many filleddrums to accumulate, and a drum may be located at the position indicatedat the extreme left of Figure 1. When in this position the lever 419awill be depressed and, as a consequence, the valve 419 will be in itscam position. When the valve 419 is in its cam position air pressure inline 418 cannot pass through the valve 419 to line 420. As will beapparent from the description hereinafter, this condition will stopfurther operation of the machine until the space adjacent the cappingstation is cleared.

Assuming that this area is free and clear, as is normally the caseexcept for the brief interval of time while a drum is passing over thelever 419a, the valve 419 will be in its spring position and, when inthis position, it will communicate the line 418 with a line 420 which isalso connected to a valve 421. The valve 421 meanwhile has been placedin its air pilot A position during a previous part of the cycle ofoperation, i.e., while the valve 359 (Figure 21A) was in its springposition, hence communicating air pressure from the air pressure line417 with a line 422 which contains a needle valve 422a and has a by-pass422b containing a check valve 4220. The line 422 is also connected tothe air pilot A of the valve 421. (Air pressure, meanwhile, hasexhausted from air pilot A of valve 421 through a line 433, a valve 424and an exhaust line 424a.) Hence air pressure in line 420 can passthrough the valve 421 to a line 423, thence to the'air pilot A of avalve 424, thereby placing that valve in its air pilot A position. Inthis position the valve 424 communicates an air pressure line 425 with aline 426 containing a restriction 427 and having a bypass 428 containinga check valve 429. The line 426 is also connected at one end of the drumejecting cylinder 175, to the right of the piston thereof as viewed inFigure 21B. The cylinder 175 is, therefore, operated to eject the drumin the manner described hereinabove. Air exhausts from the other end ofthe cylinder .175 through a line 430 and the valve 424 to an air exhaustline 431 containing a restriction 432 and which communicates with theatmosphere. also passes through a line 433 branching from the line 426to the air pilot A, of the valve 421, and air pressure exhausts from airpilot A of valve 421 through line 422, by-pass 422b and check valve 4220(Figure 21B) and valve 359 to an exhaust line 417a (Figure 21A). Thevalve 421 is, therefore,

placed in its air pilot A position, and in this position it communicatesthe line 423 with an air exhaust line 434 which communicates with theatmosphere, thereby exhausting air pressure from the air pilot A of thevalve 424. When the ejected drum contacts the lever 4191: (see Figures 1and 16) it places the valve 419 in its cam position, in which the line418 is communicated with a tion as explained hereinabove.

line 435. Air pressure will then pass from the air pressure line 417(Figure 21A) through the valve, 359 (which is in its cam position), line418 and valve 419 to line *435, thence to the air pilot A of valve 424,thereby placing that valve in its air pilot A position. When the valve424 is in its air pilot A position it communicates the air pressure line425 with the line 430, which is also connected to the drum ejectingcylinder to the left of' the piston thereof. This will result in movingthe piston to the right as viewed in Figure 21B, hence will rotate thedrum ejecting lever counterclockwise to the position shown in Figures 1and 14. The cam lever 189 will also rotate with the stop 188 by reasonof the torsion spring 187 (see Figure 13) and since no drum is at thecapping station the cam arm 189 will be free to rotate to the positionshown in broken lines in Figure 14. The cam lever 189 will, therefore,cause the low dwell 186 of the cam 184 to register with the plunger ofthe valve 300, thereby returning that valve to its spring position.

This completes a cycle of operation and the machine is now in readinessto receive the next filled, weighed drum and to commence a new cycle.

In the operation described it has been assumed that the chuck 101 pickedup a bung and formed a vacuum on its first pass. It may, however, happenthat imperfect conlower it again, and to repeat this hunting operation,if

necessary, until the chuck makes proper contact with a bung and forms avacuum. Such means is incorporated in the control circuit illustratedand described above and will now be described in detail.

A line 450 is provided which is connected at one end to the valve 366(Figure 21A) and at its other end to the air pilot of the valve 356(Figure 21B). The line 450 contains a needle valve 451 and is providedwith a by-pass 452 containing a check valve 453.

When the piston 139 descends in the chuck lifting cylinder 136 at thecommencement of a cycle of operation, the valve 366 is returned to itsnormal spring posi- In this position the valve 366 communicates the airpressure lines 367 and 368a with the line 450 so that compressed air canreach the air pilot of the valve 356. However, the rate at which airpressure is supplied to this air pilot is controlled by the setting ofthe needle valve 451, which is purposely set so that it will actuate theair pilot of the valve 356 only picked up and a vacuum is not formedwithin such predetermined time, then sufficient air pressure will havebeen delivered to the air pilot of the valve 356 to actuate the same,thereby. placing the valve 356 (Figure 21B) in its air pilot position.In this position, the valve 356 coma municates an air pressure line 454with a line 355, thereby supplying air under pressure to thatlineQ thevalve 349 (Figure 21B) is still in its normal spring Meanwhile the chuck101 will have de- Meanwhile, I

position because insufficient vacuum has been created in the vacuumpilot V of the valve 349. In this position the valve 349 communicatesline 348 with line 351, which places the valve 352 in its air pilotposition. In this position, the valve 352 communicates lines 355 and353. It will, therefore, be apparent that, when the condition describedabove exists, i.e., when the chuck 101 has dropped but has not picked upa hung and formed a vacuum within a predetermined interval of time, airwill pass into the cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139 through line 454,valve 356, line 355, valve 352 and line 353. The piston 139 will,therefore, lift and will lift the chuck 110.

When the piston 139 reaches its top position, it will place the valve366 again in its cam position, which will exhaust compressed air fromthe air pilot of the valve 356 through the line 450, the by-pass 452,check valve 453, valve 366 and an air exhaust line 455. The valve 356will, therefore, return to its normal spring position, and willcommunicate the line 355 with the air exhaust line 357. The valve 352meanwhile is still in its air pilot position, hence communicates line353 with line 355. It will, therefore, be apparent that pressure will beexhausted from the cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139 through line 353,valve 352, line 355, valve 356 and line 357 to atmosphere. Accordingly,the piston 139, and with it the chuck 110, will drop again, therebymaking a second pass at the hung in the cup 82.

This procedure will repeat itself indefinitely until the chuck haspicked up a hung and has formed a vacuum. It Will, therefore, beapparent that an effective bunting operation is provided wherebyeffective operation of the machine is insured.

In the description of the control circuit hereinabove, a number ofneedle valves and the like are referred to and are shown in Figures 21Aand 21B; e.g., the needle valve 345 (Figure 21A) in line 340 leading tothe venturi 346 and the needle valve 354 (Figure 21A) in the line 353connected to pilot valve 352. The purpose of some of these needlevalves, etc. will be apparent. In general they are intended to controlspeed of operation of various components of the machine and areadjustable to synchronize the various operations of the machine. Thefollowing detailed description of the functions of several of thesevalves will suffice as an explanation.

The needle valve 345 (Figure 21A) controls the air pressure to venturi346, hence controls the degree of suction or vacuum in lines 347 and350, hence in chuck 101 and the vacuum pilot of pilot valve 349. Thevalve 354 (Figure 2 1A) controls the rate of supply of air pressure toand exhaust of air pressure from the chuck lifting cylinder 136 beneathpiston 139; hence it controls the speed of operation of that piston 139.

The function of the needle valve 422a in line 422 (Figure 21B) is morecomplex. When the valve 359 returns to its spring position (i.e., whenthe cam bracket 153, see Figures 1 and 9, is pivoted to one side),compressed air exhausts through line 418, valve 359 and line 417a.However, because of its compressibility, air pressure remains in line420 (Figure 21B) for a brief interval of time. If compressed air isdelivered immediately from air pressure line 417 through valve 359 andline 422 to air pilot A of valve 421, air pressure remaining in line 420will pass through valve 421 (which would be in its air pilot A position)to line 423, thence to air pilot A of valve 424. To avoid this, theneedle valve 422a is provided which causes a delay in actuation of the Apilot of valve 421 until pressure has exhausted from line 420.

The function of the needle valve 322 (Figure ZlB) is to reduce thehydraulic pressure supplied through pilot valve 320 and line 325 to thehydraulic drum clamping cylinder 201. Pressure for operating thatcylinder need not and should not be as high as the pressure in line.305. The function of needle valve 427 is to control the exhaust of airpressure from drum ejecting cylinder (Figure 21B) through line 426,etc., hence to control the speed of operation of that cylinder in onedirection. The needle valves 382 and 383 (Figure 21B) control the rateof exhaust, hence the rate of operation of the chuck pivoting cylinder142. We have found that, with air cylinders such as the cylinders 175and 142, smoother operation is obtained by'placing such control valveson the outlet side rather than the inlet side of the cylinder.

Among other features of the machine which are illustrated in thedrawings but are not described hereinabove, there may be mentioned thefollowing:

Referring to Figures 21A and 21B, it will be seen that a line 480 isconnected to valve 395. This line, which is continued in Figure 21A, isalso connected to a valve 481 which is supplied with compressed air by aline 482. The line 480 also branches at 483, the branch 483 beingconnected to the control circuit of the drum filling mechanism. Thevalve 481 is normally in its spring position wherein the airpressureline 482 is not connected to the line 480. However, the valve481 is placed in its cam position when a door (not shown) in theenclosure (not shown) of the capping mechanism is opened. When the valve481 is thus placed in its cam position, air pressure passes from line482 through valve 481 to line 480, thence to valve 395 (Figure 21B),which is normally in its spring position. Hence air pressure passes fromline 480 through valve 395 to line 411. Air pressure thus delivered toline 411 will stop the capping mechanism, as will be apparent. Thus, itwill recock the trip valve 326, hence shut off air pressure to line 328(Figure 21A), etc. Air pressure delivered through branch line 483 willalso stop the filling mechanism.

It will, therefore, be apparent that the door operated valve 481 servesas a safety feature to stop the machine whenever an access door isopened, e.g., for inspection, adjustment or repairs.

A line 484 is connected to the valve 300 (Figure 21B). As explainedhereinabove, the valve 300 is placed in its cam position when a drum isdelivered to the capping station, thereby communicating hydraulicpressure line 301 with line 302 and starting a cycle of operation. Whenthe capping station is empty, the valve 300 is in its spring position,and in that position it communicates pressure line 301 with the line484. Pressure in line 484 is a signal to the filling mechanism that thecapping station is empty, hence in readiness to receive another filled(but uncapped) drum. The valve 300, in fact, takes the place of thevalve 341 shown in Figure 25 of Guerard et a1. Serial No. 307,554. Thatvalve provided a downstream signal to indicate whether the spaceadjacent and downstream from the filling station is clear. The additionof the capping mechanism of the present invention requires that thecorresponding valve be moved farther downstream.

Referring to the Rieke chuck pivoting cylinder 142 in Figure 21A, itspiston 143 is there shown in its neutral position, i.e., holding theRieke chuck 101 (see Figures 8 and 11) in registry with the Rieke cap81. The piston 143 is held in this neutral position (until theappropriate signal, as explained hereinabove) in the following manner.The valve 377 (Figure 21B) is as yet in its air pilot A position, hencecommunicates air pressure line 378 with line 380, thence with cylinder142 in such manner as to hold the piston 143 in neutral position.

A line 486 containing a check valve 487 is shown in Figure 213connecting lines 450 and 380. The purpose of this connection is asfollows: When the chuck 101 has picked up a cap or bung, then lifted andpivoted into registry vw'th the bung hole of the drum and then descended'and commenced to screw the cap into the bung hole, it is necessary toprevent the chuck from lifting again until the capping operation hasbeen completed. 'However, when the chuck 101 is in its down

